Third party insurance issue.

[BobsLawnService]

About two months ago I was involved in an accident which was mostly my fault. I turned right at an intersection and misjudged the oncoming car which accellerated to get through before the light turned red.

They were driving a 1984 Ford Sierra and suffered minor damage to a headlight cluster side panel and bumper. Of course they were uninsured. Now I'm getting angry phone calls because my insurance wants to pay 2k and they claim damages of at least 10k. (Which is probably R2k more than their 26 year old car is worth.)

Now I'm sympathetic but I feel like I've paid my dues. Do I tell them to go stuff themselves, tell them to lodge a legal claim with insurance or should I phone insurance and try to negotiate a bigger payout?

I thought I paid an arm and a leg for insurance so that I Could avoid this sort of thing.

 

[syntax]

firstly, 3rd party insurance should be compulsory. I cannot tell you how annoyed i get over this point..
secondly, if your insurance has assessed and is only going to pay them 2k, then thats that.
Its not your problem, tell anyone who tries to make it your problem to get stuffed

 

[MFour]

firstly, 3rd party insurance should be compulsory. I cannot tell you how annoyed i get over this point..
secondly, if your insurance has assessed and is only going to pay them 2k, then thats that.
Its not your problem, tell anyone who tries to make it your problem to get stuffed

Agreed. They must take it up with your insurer, don't get personally involved.

 

[supersunbird]

Never admit to it being your fault, no matter if it is.

 

[Lupus]

About two months ago I was involved in an accident which was mostly my fault. I turned right at an intersection and misjudged the oncoming car which accellerated to get through before the light turned red.

They were driving a 1984 Ford Sierra and suffered minor damage to a headlight cluster side panel and bumper. Of course they were uninsured. Now I'm getting angry phone calls because my insurance wants to pay 2k and they claim damages of at least 10k. (Which is probably R2k more than their 26 year old car is worth.)

Now I'm sympathetic but I feel like I've paid my dues. Do I tell them to go stuff themselves, tell them to lodge a legal claim with insurance or should I phone insurance and try to negotiate a bigger payout?

I thought I paid an arm and a leg for insurance so that I Could avoid this sort of thing.

Wait they accelerated through the robot when it was orange? If this is the case then it was their fault not yours, you shouldn't have to pay a cent towards their car and it was nice of your insurance to even offer R2000 for that as mine would've fought it.

 

[bwana]

firstly, 3rd party insurance should be compulsory. I cannot tell you how annoyed i get over this point..
secondly, if your insurance has assessed and is only going to pay them 2k, then thats that.
Its not your problem, tell anyone who tries to make it your problem to get stuffed

Surely his insurance company's decision isn't binding on them so there's really nothing stopping them from coming after him even if it means taking him to court, is there?

 

[SinghDude]

Get hold of your insurance company, most reputable companies do have a legal department to deal with disputes. Thats what you paying your premiums for... stay out of it...let your insurance comnpany handle the mess.

 

[wizdumb]

just let your insurance company handle it. if the 3rd party calls you, refer them to your insurance, and put the phone down.
even if they decide to legal action, your insurance company will initially help out (unsure how far they are willing to go).
remember accidents happen
ps: it seems like they want to buy another 1984 Ford Sierra with the extra 8k

 

[BobsLawnService]

Glenrand MIB's legal adviser has been the high point of dealing with the company. Friendly, efficient and hopefully effective. The rest of the company would do well to take lessons in customer service from a nice lawyer called Ray.

He gave me a clear view of what was happening citing the different legal precedents, reassured me and is calling the third party with a big legal stick in his hands.

I'm feeling much better now.